LONDON: The Prime Minister will warn voters that a Labour government would mean “higher taxes for every working family” in Britain.
David Cameron will launch the Conservative Party’s general election campaign by warning families that they face a £3,000 tax bombshell if Ed Miliband gets into Downing Street. It comes amid growing Labour confusion over economic policy.
Lucy Powell, who is running Mr Miliband’s election campaign, on Sunday conceded that the party will borrow more money if it wins the election as the IFS, an economic think-tank, warned that there is a £30 billion black hole in Labour’s spending plans.
The Conservatives have committed to balancing the overall budget by the end of 2018.
Labour has promised only to eliminate the current deficit on day-to-day spending by the end of the next Parliament, leaving open the option of borrowing money to invest in capital projects.
Speaking in Downing Street, the Prime Minister will tell voters that they face a “stark choice” at the May 7 election.
“In thirty eight days’ time you face a stark choice,” he will say. The next Prime Minister walking through that door will be me or Ed Milliband.
You can choose an economy that grows, that creates jobs, that generates the money to ensure a properly funded and improving NHS and a Government that will cut taxes for thirty million hardworking people.
Or you can choose the economic chaos of Ed Miliband’s Britain — over £3000 in higher taxes for every working family to pay for more welfare and out of control spending. Debt will rise and jobs will be lost as a result.”
His comments are an echo of the tactics used by the Conservatives in 1992, when the party won the general election by accusing Neil Kinnock of plotting a “tax bombshell”.
Mr Cameron will add: “Ed Miliband pays lip service to working people while planning to hike taxes and increase debt.
“After five years of effort and sacrifice, Britain is on the right track. This election is about moving forward – and as Prime Minister here at Number 10 that’s what I will deliver.”